(Edited) Sunday reflections: (From) years 2014 (A), 2015 (B), and 2016 (C)
November 30, 2014
Liturgical readings
Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7
Psalm 80
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:33-37
"Do not let him come suddenly and catch you asleep."
The Old Testament prophets of Israel, up to the last prophet before Christ (namely, John the Baptist), all shared a common theme in their preaching: that the people Israel may repent and return to their Lord. Christ repeats this same theme in His preaching, and is evident in the gospel of Mark (Mark 1:15). But Christ adds another essential theme that is not emphasized in the OT prophets' preaching: this is the theme that God's kingdom is already in His peoples' midst. In addition to the OT prophets who prophesy a future kingdom of God, Christ preaches this Kingdom as already imminent - in the here and now of Israel. It is His very presence among His people that makes that Kingdom already a here and now reality: a reality that has arrived but still to come into its fullness.
The four Sundays of Advent (Nov 30, Dec 7, Dec 14, and Dec 21) will remind all of the importance of vigilance and sobriety. If the baptized do not heed the message of Advent, they will be distracted by a lot of external and temporal concerns. As the classics of the faith counsels, let there not be a "misguided love of the world" to endanger the soul (St. Bernard of Clairvaux). Advent reminds everyone to be watchful. It reminds of the coming of Christ not only this Christmas, but also of His Second Coming. The sobering truth of Christ's Second Coming can remind all to be more diligent in their spiritual lives: to take stock of how one is and in his relationship with God. One practice of the Church during Advent is to go to confession - a preparation for Christmas.
Advent helps prepare to receive the Light of the World. May this excerpt from St. Cyril of Jerusalem's writings help see the Person of Jesus as the Light - how His presence in all the faithful can encourage and console all when the world appears to be in the darkness of conflicts and calamities:
"The first coming was marked by patience, the second will bring the crown of a divine kingdom ... there is a hidden coming, like that of rain on fleece, and a coming before all eyes, still in the future...at the first coming He was wrapped in swaddling clothes, at His second, He will be clothed in light as a garment...
Scripture quote:
"You, Lord are our Father, our redeemer you are named forever." (Isaiah 63)
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